Onion Bagels

Onion Bagels (Makes 8 bagels)

Cook Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes (including rising)
Ayurvedic Benefits: Grounding for Vata, neutral for Pitta, warming for Kapha
Cost: Approximately $6–$8 total (Ithaca, NY)

Ingredients

Bagel Dough

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (for gluten-free option, see note)

• 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast

• 1½ cups warm water

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon sugar

Topping

• 1 medium yellow or white onion, finely chopped, or dried onion flakes

• Optional: sesame seeds or poppy seeds

Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until frothy.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add olive oil and yeast mixture.

3. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Gluten-Free Note: If using gluten-free flour, start with a blend designed for yeast breads (like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1). Dough will be stickier and may require additional water or xanthan gum. Kneading may be shorter and bagels may be slightly denser.

1. Cover dough with a towel and let rise for 45–60 minutes until doubled in size.

2. Shape the Bagels

1. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces.

2. Roll each piece into a ball and poke a hole in the center (about 1–2 inches).

3. Let shaped bagels rest for 10 minutes while heating water for boiling.

3. Boil & Bake

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.

3. Boil each bagel 1–2 minutes per side, then remove with a slotted spoon.

4. Place boiled bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5. Sprinkle chopped onions on top (press lightly). Optional: add sesame or poppy seeds.

6. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

4. Serve

• Let bagels cool slightly before slicing.

• Perfect for sandwiches, breakfast spreads, or with your favorite vegan cheese.

Yield: 8 bagels — enough for 4–6 people, depending on appetite.

Cost Breakdown (Ithaca, NY Prices)

Ingredient Estimated Cost

All-purpose flour (4 cups) $1.50
Yeast $0.50
Olive oil $0.50
Onion $0.75
Sugar & salt negligible

Total: $6–$8
Cost per bagel: $0.75–$1.00

Ayurvedic Dosha Notes

Onion bagels are warm, grounding, and slightly energizing — suitable for most doshas with moderation.

Vata

• Warm, soft, and hearty → grounding and stabilizing

• Onions add digestive stimulation
  No modifications needed.

Pitta

• Onions can aggravate Pitta if eaten in excess
  Pitta modifications:

• Use fewer onions or cook them lightly before topping

• Serve with cooling spreads (vegan butter, avocado)

Kapha

• Dense bread can be heavy → moderation is key
  Kapha modifications:

• Use whole wheat or lighter flours

• Bake smaller bagels or enjoy with light, fresh toppings

Gluten-Free Option Note

• Substitute a high-quality gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour (1-to-1 replacement).

• Dough will be stickier and may not rise exactly the same.

• Boiling and baking steps remain mostly the same, but expect slightly denser texture.